(CNN) - The CNN Political Ticker is live blogging the CNN Southern Republican Debate in Charleston, South Carolina. Check here for live updates throughout the event and be sure to follow @PoliticalTicker, @CNNPolitics and use #CNNDebate.

9:44 p.m. ET - Paul said as a doctor, he had strong views on when life begins. Said Republicans should be looking at funding of abortions.

9:44 p.m. ET - @LisaDCNN: CROWD SCREAMS: For Ron Paul to get to talk about the abortion debate as John King about to move on. Someone near me: "let the doctor speak!"

9:43 p.m. ET - Audience booed when Paul wasn't asked about abortion. Paul was given a chance to answer.

9:41 p.m. ET - Romney defended record as pro-life governor. Said his record is solid. Gingrich said as speaker he passed bill ending partial birth abortions.
9:40 p.m. ET - Santorum said Gingrich had pushed social issues to the back burner.

9:38 p.m. ET - Romney said health law did not pay for abortions. Said his integrity was being questioned.

9:32 p.m. ET - Romney said he had been consistent on immigration, and that he actually agreed with Santorum on the importance of enforcing immigration laws.

9:30 p.m. ET - @DLoesch: Someone give Santorum a picture book of Gingrich's immigration answer, because it flew over his head. Disingenuous.

9:29 p.m. ET - Santorum said Romney had changed his position on immigration. Said Gingrich's position on illegal immigration was the same as President Obama's. Said, "If you want to be an American, the first thing you should do is respect our laws and obey our laws."

9:27 p.m. ET - Romney said illegal immigration was not a tough issue. He said America should build a fence, and ensure employers verify workers' immigration status.

9:25 p.m. ET - Gingrich said he would establish English as the official language of the United States. Said he would modify visa system. Gingrich said he would make process of deportation faster and easier. Gingrich also lauded his "guest worker" plan.

9:24 p.m. ET - Question from the audience: How would you deal with illegal immigration?

9:23 p.m. ET - Paul said he would work on his delivery. Said he might speak a little slower. Said he would continue with his message.

9:21 p.m. ET - Gingrich said he would skip first 3 months of his campaign and begin with an internet-based operation.

Romney said he would "work to get 25 more votes in Iowa."

Santorum said he "wouldn't change a thing." Said being in the final four was an amazing achievement.

9:21 p.m. ET - Question: What is the one thing you would do differently in this campaign?

9:15 p.m. ET - @AriFleischer: I get the sense Romney and Newt pandered on SOPA. Santorum gave the most thoughtful answer.

9:13 p.m. ET - Paul said he was glad the bill has stalled in Congress. Said Republicans had frequently been on the wrong side of the issue. Santorum said property rights should be respected, but that the legislation had gone too far.

9:13 p.m. ET - Gingrich: "I favor freedom." Said large companies shouldn't dictate what Americans can do on the internet. Romney said the bill was far too intrusive, and would have a negative impact on the tech industry.

9:09 p.m. ET - Paul said we needed to look at the reasons companies are sending jobs overseas. Said Apple was a good company that still employs thousands of Americans.

9:07 p.m. ET - Santorum said under his plan, Apple would get large tax incentives if they brought jobs back to the United States.

9:06 p.m. ET - Question: Apple has thousands of workers in China. What would you do about that?

9:04 p.m. ET - Romney said he would "maybe" release a few years of his income tax returns, as his father George Romney did when he ran for president. Audience booed. Said he wouldn't apologize for being successful.

9:02 p.m. ET –Gingrich said if Romney had something damaging in his tax returns, he should release them before the general election. Santorum said his tax forms were at his home, and he would release them when he was able to retrieve them.

8:59 p.m. ET - Question from audience: When will you release your tax returns? Gingrich said "an hour ago." Paul said he has no intention of releasing his tax returns, saying he has so conflicts of interest. Romney said he would release his in April when the most up-to-date forms are available.

8:58 p.m. ET - Gingrich said he went back to Ronald Reagan playbook when he was House speaker. Said Romney did very well under rules he put in place. Romney said when he was a businessman he pleaded for Washington to get out of the way.

8:53 p.m. ET - Santorum said he knew Gingrich's leadership style from his time in the House. Mentioned ethics charges against Gingrich, and said that Gingrich had "an idea a minute."

8:52 p.m. ET - Gingrich defended his record. Listed off achievements made during his time as House Speaker. Cites job creation, balanced budgets. Said "We need leadership prepared to take on big projects."

8:49 p.m. ET - Santorum reacted to Gingrich's claim that he wasn't ready for something on the scale of the presidency. Santorum said his success in Iowa and New Hampshire were evidence of his staying power. Said Gingrich's claims "were not cogent thoughts." Said Gingrich had "worrisome moments when something's going to pop."

8:41 p.m. ET - @SamFeistCNN: We will ask @speakergingrich about his tax returns next on the #CNNDebate.

8:40 p.m. ET - Gingrich said he led the opposition to HillaryCare when he was in the House.

8:39 p.m. ET - Newt Gingrich's campaign released 2010 tax documents during the CNN debate, reporting $3,142,066 adjusted gross income and paying approximately 31 percent of that amount in federal taxes, or $994,708. Mitt Romney, much of whose income is understood to be from investments and taxed at a lower rate, said on Tuesday his effective tax rate is "closer to the 15 percent rate than anything," and suggested he would release his documents in April.

8:38 p.m. ET - Romney defended the Massachusetts health care law, said people in the state were better off.

8:38 p.m. ET – @jimacostacnn: Santorum on Romney and Gingrich supporting an indiv mandate: These are two folks who don’t present the clear contrast that I do.

8:36 p.m. ET - Santorum said Gingrich was for an individual health care mandate. Said Romney and Gingrich were "playing footsies with the left."

8:35 p.m. ET - Santorum used the Obamacare question to go after Romney for his role in the Massachusetts health care law. Said the law was a model for Obamacare.

8:34 p.m. ET - Gingrich said he thought it would be possible to completely repeal Obamacare. Said he didn't trust Congressional staffs to pick through bill to repeal separate parts.

8:33 p.m. ET - Romney: we have to go after complete repeal. Said he would replace with new bill that offers health care through a market.

8:30 p.m. ET - Question from the audience: Do any of the candidates believe Obamacare can be repealed in its entirety?

8:28 p.m. ET - Romney said veterans benefits should be handled at the state level.

8:27 p.m. ET - Santorum said Obama had cut benefits for veterans, said veterans should be given preference for jobs by employers.

8:25 p.m. ET - Paul said veterans more medical help when they return from war.

8:24 p.m. ET - Question: Should the federal government take steps to lower unemployment among veterans?

8:21 p.m. ET - Santorum said we need to talk about how to get people back to work in the manufacturing sector. Said we need to give manufacturers a leg up.

8:20 p.m. ET - Romney responded to Bain criticism, said "capitalism works." Listed companies he said were successful when taken over by Bain Capital.

soundoff(1,288 Responses)

Beth

Will somebody please tell John King that the word is "lectern" not "podium."

January 19, 2012 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

Jeanne

Republicans have said we can't increase taxes on those making over 1 million as they are the job creators. I want to know how someone making a million a year and taxed an extra 3 or 5 percent or 30,000 to 50,000 can create jobs with that money???

January 19, 2012 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

Kathryn Wohnoutka

I am very liberal but watching the current republican debate. I am appauled at CNNs opening remark for this debate. Let's get to the real issues, shall we.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

INDEPENDENT VOTER

John King, make Newt answer your first question.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Daniel

Numerous studies have shown that marijauna has some of the greatest medicinal properties known to man. Do you recogzize marijauna as a medicine and as president will you legalize its use? Why or why not?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Dianna

Newt may think that he is forgiven and made new but the road of restitution leading to trust is a long one and he is just starting out. Also what kind of person who knows better than racism would pander to the racists of South Carolina to get votes? Not someone who is trying to walk the restitution road to redemption!!!!

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Shawn C. Bugbee

Question on Economic Policy: What steps would the candidates take to substantially reduce our overwhelming national debt, which is now greater than 100% of our GDP? What steps will be taken to avoid insolvency, or the flight from the dollar as the world's premier reserve currency?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Lori in CO

I must say, Newt's reaction to his ex-wife's interview tells me a lot...the truth hurts, doesn't it Newt? And, for your daughters to say they know what happened is wrong...unless they were in the room with you and your ex-wife. Otherwise, they are lying as well as you.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Andrew Wilson

To all the candidates... what are you gonna do to protect my personal freedom, liberty's, and my property?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Ray

To Governer Romney – If elected President will you accept the position of Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America as other Presidents have?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

JOHN MASSELLI

Crude oil is at 101 a barrel. What would you do to lower the price of fuel, such as a genuine alternative fuel source such as natural gas powering a significant number of vehicles. Please comment. For all candidates.

Coral Springs, FL

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Alden Jones

There have been many debates but no talk of the rising gas prices. If you are elected what will you do to bring cost and taxation on importation down?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Dan Tolliver

Question for Paul:

In the last debate you said that our foreign policy should be that of the golden rule. This brought you boos from they audience. You also stated that we start wars. When do we start wars? Iraq was started due to a government that defied the world. Do you believe we actually start wars or end them? Do you regret these comments?

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Peter

Newt is wrong. Character matters a great deal.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Jane

Shameful that John King started the Republican debate without a question of substance, but instead based on trashy taste.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

apple pie

....Romney is going down.His own party doesn't trust him. Neither do I. Don't trust Slick Mitt the Flip as far as I can spit.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

vic , nashville ,tn

Great start by Newt

Go Newt

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Katrina Burns

Hat's off to Mr. Gingrich for putting you in your place. This is why we need him as President. That question was uncallled for aNd this is why other than the debate tonight that my family does not watch your channel.

January 19, 2012 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Andrew Varnes

Why does the liberal media do nothing but state inaccurate, false and negative comments regarding Republicans? Last I recall a liberal named Bill Clinton had a "questionable relationship" with someone named Monica Lewinsky WHILE HE WAS PRESIDENT.

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Theresa Nowell

Gingrich thought it was an issue when it was President Clinton cheated. 20 year affair. I'm Roman Catholic and that is not exceptable if you cheat on your wife – what else have you cheated on??? I would like to know why he thought it was not OK for President Clinton – but it is OK for him? Also, If this was one of the other candidates would he want the news to report it?

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Dan Simon

Question for Debate

We may face a foreign crisis that overshadows the economic problems before the presidential election. Why would you be the best candidate for President if that happened?

Dan Schlusselberg, San Diego, CA

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Bill Harding

@Ron Paul your foreign policy adheres to the constitution why are those ideas so unpopular today?

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

rslip

Newt trashes the media again to cover his own shortcomings. The question was very legitimate no matter how embarrassing it was for Newt.

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Nilesh

I personally like CNN reporting. But to begin a Presidential debate with Newt's wife, was bad planning.Very bad!!!

January 19, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Lily

Question: How do you feel about the so-called "segregation" of certain schools as diversity laws which shift many "diverse" students around their district are repealed?